Vintge, Retro Old Hollywood Glam: A Malibu Wedding

Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles. A romantic, old-fashioned wedding. Fabulous!

The setting: A private estate at Trancas Beach, north of Malibu, Zuma Beach and Point Dume. WAY out there, on that rugged part of the California Coast that’s as gorgeous as it gets.

The event: An absolutely spectacular, old-fashioned, formal wedding! Vintage, retro Old Hollywood, Old Malibu glamour to the max! Pure perfection.

The wedding coordinator: Avesta Carrera of Malibu Events – the consummate, elegant party planner.

The music: US, of course! One of my small but mighty Los Angeles wedding bands extraordinaire, The Judy Chamberlain Quintet – playing the music of Rogers and Hart, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and George Gershwin.

It’s all swing to us and — as Frank Sinatra once said — “it’s the best music ever written.”

The festivities began with a 90 minute “seating music” concert by our classical duo in the courtyard of the estate, playing the bride’s choices of unusual, intense and intricate symphonic music. No Pachelbel or Lohengrin for this lady, though! Big fun, and the selections truly delighted and surprised the guests.

The continuity of a smooth transition from one style of music to another is a beautiful thing. It’s one of our specialties.

During cocktails, the guests enjoyed jazz and bossa nova live guitar music while the classical duo moved over to the beautifully decorated garden and became the core of the evening’s jazz and swing band.

Tables for ten and twelve had been set up to capture the ocean views and the starlight that was beginning to surround the guests in the romantic mist.

Launching into the bride’s grandparents’ favorites like “There’s A Small Hotel,” “The Blue Room,” “Tea For Two,” “Tangerine” and “Night and Day,” we discovered tha the younger guests were enthralled with the music, too.

Ballroom dancing to the standards of the Great American Songbook is hip again. Of course, to us, it never went out of style!

I was delighted to see the grandparents, who are in their nineties, out on the dance floor.

And some really younger guests, little ones with their shoes off, enjoyed trotting around the dance floor.

A beautiful bride, a handsome groom….and memories that will last forever.

The song may be ended for now, but the melody lingers on…..

Live Music for an Asian Wedding: “Your Band MADE My Wedding!”

Sometimes the families and guests at Asian weddings are shy about dancing in public. Here is a letter I especially treasure from a recent Asian bride who was afraid her father would not dance:

Hey Judy,

The whole band was great. They were so talented! Sam and I loved the band because we could tell that they love what they do. As you know it makes a difference when one puts a soul into music makes that much differnce. That is the difference between the band that you provided vs other bands out there. Not only did they put their best effort into singing but they put their souls into singing. We as musicians, Sam and I loved it.

Sam kept saying how beautiful the wedding turned out to be thanks to the band. He didn’t like the quartet that we had hired thru someone else for the ceremony very much because they were there to get their hours clocked in and out. On the other hand, your band gave us so much, even after the wedding was over and the guests had left because Sam and I wanted to have a dance to ourselves. Sam and I danced to “It Had To Be You” and “La Vie En Rose” all to ourselves. Everyone was gone but ONLY Sam and I had that dance. It felt so special to have a dance floor to ourselves and no one else. It felt like I was part of the movie. Sam kept prasing about what a difference the band made for us. Most of people who had a wedding told me they wished they would have saved money somewhere but we said we will exactly spent the money the same way and have it no other way Because it was just perfect.

Judy, all my girl friends cried when i was dancing with my dad. I was crying and my Dad was crying and when he was crying he said “I am so proud of you, for just being you. I can’t ask for a better daughter.” I still get tearful thinking about my dad. I know that moment will always stay with me in my heart. I told my dad “I love you very much and thank you for raising me and thank you.” We danced to “What A Wonderful World” from the beginnig to end. My friend whose dad just passed away, she told me “It was so beautiuful but heartbreaking at the same time and I was just thinking about my dad” and my other friend who had such a hard time with her own dad because of their differences, she said “helen, you dancing with your father really hit me home, I wish one day I can be like you and your dad” And Sam said “When you were dancing with your dad, i was so tearful. I was trying my best not to cry but it was really hard watching you and dad crying it is so heartbreaking” It was really touching.

I think your band made my wedding day so special that no one else ever could have done it. Judy. They were everything you said they would be, and more. I am so thankful to you and your band for making my wedding day so memorable. I heard so many compliments from my relatives and friends.

I saved a couple of mugs for you from our wedding favors. My brother made them. They are so clever. You and I have good sense of humor i thought you might enjoy them too. Hopefully you have received them.

Please send me some of your cards. Now that I am in the real estate business people will be asking for a lot of referrals. I have several friends who are not married. AND THEY LOVED your band. So I want to hold onto your business cards and refer you.

Love you dearly,
Helen Park

A McCharles House Wedding: Vintage Nostalgia

Retro and romantic music is one of my specialties, so I was thrilled when Audrey and Vivian Heredia phoned to tell me that their fabulous McCharles House was reopening as a wedding and events venue and invited me to be their exclusive music provider.

I’ve known Audrey and Vivian, who are mother and daughter, for 23 years. They encouraged and applauded my career as a restaurant critic, Op Ed, features and society columnist for The Orange Coast Daily Pilot, The L.A. Times and The Daily Breeze, sent handmade wreaths to my house at holiday time and calmed my nerves with homemade chocolate cake when I was learning how not to look like an idiot on-camera for the “Savoire Fare” restaurant segments The Orange County News Channel recruited me to write, produce and appear in for many years.

I have always been one of Audrey and Vivian’s their biggest fans, and welcomed opportunities to feature them often in my signature ocnow.com “Best of Orange County” lists. Many a lovely afternoon was spent at McCharles House in the company of colleagues and friends at book-signing events and soirees. …and our family dined often at McCharles House after church on Sundays. My husband, an avid gardener, loves McCharles House’s abundant “curb appeal.”

McCharles House has a heart. In exchange for asking guests to respect the buildings and grounds of this gorgeous private setting, the venue offers reasonably-priced rental and catering fees along with an experience that is all about style, luxury, glamour and romance.

Anchored by an 1885 Queen Anne Victorian house that has been featured in dozens of publications like Victoria, Cottages and Bungalows, Bon Apetit and Romantic Homes, the internationally-acclaimed McCharles House now features two additional wedding settings, the Craftsman Era Spequoia Lodge and an outdoor Summerhouse. All are surrounded by formal, yet wild and natural organic gardens. Ralph Lauren would be right at home shooting his ads here.

The vintage, nostalgic music I’ve researched for many years and especially enjoy performing is perfect for the look and “feel” of this venue! In an old fashioned garden….

In this garden – and everywhere on the McCharles property, artistic and culinary skills, sensible simplicity, gracious hospitality and uncompromising standards are alive and well.

It’s all too, too delightful, delicious and de-lovely. Call Vivian!

The McCharles House and Gardens, 335 South C Street Tustin, California 92780
Telephone: 714.731.4063

Judy Chamberlain Quartet at Spazio, Saturday July 26

The Judy Chamberlain Quartet performs at Spazio Jazz Supper Club in Sherman Oaks Saturday July 26. Join us at the delightful Spazio, consistently voted one of the top 100 jazz clubs in America. The food is wonderful! Chef Eli has just introduced a new menu. His cuisine is always chock full of fresh ingredients: lobster, seasonal vegetables, fruits, nuts – all the things I adore. Alan Broadbent, Anthony Wilson, Jeff Hamilton and Mose Allison are among the many legendary artists who have entertained here. If you’re making a reservation, ask to be seated near the band!

Saturday, July 26
The Judy Chamberlain Quartet
Featuring the inimitable drummer Gerry Gibbs (son of famed vibraphonist Terry Gibbs)
Spazio Jazz Supper Club
14755 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, Ca 91403
818 728-8400

Judy Chamberlain’s Radio Daze

I lifted this very cool article from Paul Sakrison’s website! It’s from the archives of another lifetime, reminding me of my hilariously checkered past as on-air talent at KIK-FM as well as other Southland radio and TV stations – including K-OCEAN 103.1 FM and the Orange County News Channel (or OCN University, as we called it)….to see the graphics, Click here: Sakrison.com – KIK-FM/KMXN-FM

KIK-FM
(now KMXN)
94.3 MHz
Garden Grove (Anaheim), CA

I Was There:
1981-1998

Station Information:
Freq: 94.3 MHz
Power: 3,000 Watts ERP
Height/DA: 249′ HAAT, 370′ AMSL
Class: A
City Of License: Garden Grove, CA
TX Site: Former Bank of America Building at The City (now called “The Block of Orange”)
Format: Country while I was there, recently switched to Hot AC then Alternative Rock

Owner: Orange Broadcasting Corp. div. of Astor Broadcast Group (N. Arthur Astor, Pres.)
GM/Stn Mgrs: Art Astor, Michael Means, Richard MacIntosh, Richard Lyons,
CEs: Paul Sakrison
PDs: Steve Thomas, John Dzima, Chris Adams (Adam Smith), Bob Harvey, Don Jeffrey, Jon Prell , Greg Edwards, Craig Powers, Frank Santangelo,
SMs: Jim Votaw, Michael Means, Bill Martinez, Mitch Seigal, Grace Madrigal, Peri Corso, Jeanette Medrano,
Engineers: Greg Ogonowski before I started, Richard _ Asst. (for about 6 month), Rick Hunt after I left
Talent: Judy Able, Chris Adams (“Cadillac Cowboy” /”Cad” /”Cheese”), Don Allen, Tom Anthony (Winston “Joe” Burnette), Dave Anthony (Steve Coyne), Jack Attack (Jack Scalfani), Mike Bennett (Mike Carlucci) , Sue Binswanger (News), Frank Cisco (Frank Santangelo), Kim Cooper, Brian “Bubba” Cowan, Dave Dame, Terry Driscoll (news), Carrie Dunne, John Dzima, Mike “Bike” Edwards (Mike Mesmer), Jack Elloitt (news), Brenda Franklin, Randy Jim Hamilton (Randy Trom), Bob Harvey, Dave Hull, Linda Jean, “Don Jeffrey” Smith, Billy The Kid (Bill Schust), Lyle Kilgore (news), Keith (“with no teeth”) Lewis (news), Christine Martindale, Ford Michaels (Clifford Mullins), Bill Nesbitt, Ken O’Connor, Manny Pacheco, Sean Parr, Liz Pennington, Ed Perry, Craig Powers, Jon Prell, Gene Price, Byron Ray, Razz (Steve Brazill), Dick Riley (Richard Renkus), Mark Robinson, Eva Ross, Mark The Shark (Mark McKay), Taz (Mark Allen Graves), Steve Thomas (Randy Anderson), Marshall Thomas, Charlie Tuna, Rich Walcoff, Scott West (Scott Lockwood/Fred Krebs), Marina Wilson, Peter ??? (Leonidas Jonasson), Lawyer Lloyd (Lloyd Charton), Kent Smith, Bill Thomas, Judy Chamberlain, Wally George, Sharon Kathon (News), Dominick Garcia (“Donnie Lee”), Ricci Filliar, John Hall (Sports), Steve Kelley, Mark McKay, Ed Mann, Rich Watson, Bob Allen, Billy “The Kid” Schust, Russ Bollinger (Raiders Sports Talk), Bryan Emerson, Scott Hayden, Terry Snead, Bruce Ward, Pam King,
Sales: Michael Means, Grace Madrigal, Sherrie Orr, Garth Stern, Tom Jabinowski, Dave Shaffer, Randall DeSalvo, Peri Corso, Stu Levy, Cherie Mills, Bill Martinez, Jim Herz, Maureen “Mo” Mackie, Virginia Sibley, Rick Herrick, Patricia Munster, Marcie Shubert, Mary Stanley, Carolyn Smit, Gary Dulkowski, Bob Ranaldi, Linda Warren Dzima, Joe Cochrane, Peggy Valenzuela, Jennifer Bennett, Laura Luthe, Eric Stranger(?), Garth Stern, Kathleen Roberts, Stephanie Mallon, Tony Renfro, David Winters, John Davis, Bill Gudelman, Rick Herrick, Annamarie Joyce, Patricia Lusin, Cindy Cooley, Jennifer Rivard, Jamie Trivison,
Office/Others: Susan Burke (Exec. VP), Joann Lais (Office Mgr), Laura Astor Dame (Promotions), Johanna Flores (Traffic), Nancy Miles (Traffic), Susan Bradley (Office Mgr.), Sonia Williams (Controller), Fred “Bud” Freeman (Transportation Mgr.), Louise Fox (Office Mgr.), Michelle Osborne (Receptionist), Maria _ (Sales Secy), Greg Sipple (Car Guy), John _ (Car Guy), Steve Knoll (Traffic), _ Bustamonte (Traffic), _ _ (Traffic who married Wally George), Jeri Burrows, Trish _ (Office Mgr), Rosemary _ (Office Mgr), Kaz Neavill (Receptionist), Jill _ (Receptionist), Michelle Osborne (Reception),
Vehicles: KIK Wagon (’72 Ford station wagon, KIK Van (’84 Dodge Van), KIK Country Cruiser (’96 motor home with studio)
Call Letter History: KGGK, KTBT, KORJ, KIKF, KMXN

KIK-FM (actual call letters KIKF) was a Class-A, 3,000-watt FM station licensed to Garden Grove, CA. Its transmitter is still located atop the 20-story office building near the 22 freeway at The Block of Orange. When I started there in mid-1981, the studios were on the 14th floor and the transmitter was in the Generator Room on the roof.
KIK-FM New Studio in Anaheim
This is the current Control Room I built in 1997. The original console was and Autogram RTV-20 that came from KTID in San Rafael, CA when we sold it. It was replaced with a Wheatstone and the RTV-20 moved (again) to the Remote Studio at The Block, an upscale outdoor shopping mall in Orange at the base of the building the tranmitting tower is on. More current pictures here.

KIK-FM 1982-1997 Studio Entrance
Control Room on right, Coference Room/Public Affairs Studio on left. This was the location of KIK-FM from 1982-1997.

KIK-FM 1982-1997 Control Room
Scott West (Scott Lockwood)

KIK-FM 1982-1997 Control Room
From Central Hallway

KIK-FM 1982-1997 Control Room Console
Hank Landsberg made this console in his garage. It is Serial Number 3. There once was one of these at KIQQ, as well. One of the later Gregg Labs version of this mixer is in storage at KWIZ-FM.

KIK-FM 31′ Mobile Studio
The KIK Country Cruiser had a studio in the rear former bedroom, 2 analog cellphones, Telex wireless microphone system could broadcast from anywhere with Cellular service, including driving on the freeway.

KIK-FM Van

KIK-FM Conference/Public Affairs Room
served double duty holding Sales meetings and talk show talent. Just to the right is the Production Studio.

KIK-FM Music Library
Lots of LPs were dubbed to the dreaded MusiCarts.

More KIK-FM Pictures – Click Here The station had switched to Country about six months before I was hired. The music was being played from reels on an IGM 500 automation system that included two 48-tray Instacarts. There was a 25-Hz encoder and a Teac tape deck hooked up to the stereo in Program Director Steve Thomas’ office that was used to record the tapes. After I started, KIK started buying carts to record the music onto. Eventually, all of the music was played from carts and the IGM 500 was shipped off to Barrett Associates in Oceanside for consignment sale. We bought a huge 1280-cart rack to put the carts in to.

The next project was to plan for and move the offices and studios downstairs to the adjacent 2-story Financial Center, Suite 183. The photos on this page show this compact but very functional suite. Michael Means was Sales Manager and Station Manager for many years there and the station had its greatest success in the little Suite 183. I think it had about 1,850 square feet. In the early ’90s, another 900 square feet was added next door, but we never cut through between the spaces.

For about a year and a half in 1994-1996, KIK simulcast with the 94.3 in San Fernando, which was owned by Jack Siegal’s Chagal Communications and LMA’ed to us. The synchronization system designed to lock the two signals together was not effective enough to eliminate the co-channel interference between them. The call letters during the LMA were KYKF and the offices were at the old KGIL Studios/AM transmitter site in North Hills, which was owned by Saul Levine. KYKF is now owned by the Libermans and broadcasts in Spanish with the call letters KBUA.

Also during this time KIK’s morning man was the legendary Charlie Tuna. He was a pleasure to work with, is the consummate professional and is very kind. For almost a year he broadcast his morning show from a tiny DJ booth at Universal Citywalk whose equipment was less than reliable. Then he did his show from the old KGIL Production studio that was part of the office space we were renting for KYKF.

1995 brought the addition of the KIK Country Cruiser, a 31-foot motor home whose rear bedroom I tore out and refit as a mobile studio. I worked on it mostly at home and my wife still tells everyone about having the mobile studio in our driveway for a month.

In 1997, KIK-FM had to move to new digs because The City Shopping Center was shut down and the whole complex, except for the office building where the transmitter is, was being torn down to be replaced by The Block of Orange. After a lot of looking and space planning we found an 18,000 square foot space at 1045 S. East Street in Anaheim. This was large enough to accomodate about 2/3 of Art’s cars (he had about 100 at the time), an antique radio museum and enough office space to cover any forseeable growth. The Control Room and Production Room were huge and look east out floor-to-ceiling glass. The station is still there today. It is a real showcase.

KIK had some interesting and notable talent over the years in addition to Charlie Tuna. Gene Price spent several years in the morning slot. Lyle Kilgore did morning news in the early 80s. With his voice and delivery, he could skip a line of copy and you would think it was you. KIK first PD, Steve Thomas, had a lot of talent, but had less luck in his personal life. One night at the original Crazy Horse Saloon, he asked his wife to stand up and then introduced her as his “future ex-wife”. When we were building out Suite 183, he ran an audio line from Art’s office to his office. The line was never hooked up and Steve’s end wound up inside a wall after the wall’s location had to be changed

Los Angeles Times Jazz Critic’s “Pick” Of The Week

Los Angeles Times

February 10, 2008

Judy Chamberlain

Spazio
14755 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks

CRITIC’S CHOICE
Thank you, Don Heckman! The esteemed LA TImes Jazz Critic gave us the ONLY “Jazz Pick Of The Week” in Los Angeles for Valentine’s 2008! He wrote:

“What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than hearing a singer who is almost guaranteed to know your favorite love song, no matter how obscure it may be. Add to that Chamberlain’s convincing authenticity with styles reaching from torch songs and rock to jazz and bossa nova. Toss in the lusty tenor saxophone sound of Azar Lawrence, add a Valentine-slanted five course dinner, and you’ve got a romantic evening to remember.” (D.H.)

Thursday, February 14: 8 p.m.

Box office: 818-728-8400

The Romantic Side of Azar Lawrence – Just In Time For Valentine’s Day!

The weather has been incredible lately! Rainy, windy and as icy cold as the frigid air whipping around on a Manhattan crosstown street exactly this time of year in my native city. I love it!

But L.A.’s the place to be. More specifically, Spazio on Valentines Day — for an evening that promises to be incredibly romantic. The legendary Azar Lawrence — he worked and recorded with Miles Davis, among many other greats — is a wondrous sax player whose rich, deep tone on tenor makes you feel that he’s letting you see into his soul. It’s a lovely, pure place to be. Immediately following our Valentine’s show, he’s off to New York to play with McCoy Tyner and Benny Golson.

Azar and I are working on a set list that includes “Violets For Your Furs,” “My Ship,” “Every Time We Say Goodbye” and Rogers and Hart’s “You Are Too Beautiful.”

If you’re planning on coming, the music starts at 7:30-ish, you’ll need a reservation (818 728-8400). Ask to be seated as close to the stage as possible and be prepared for a warm, intimate evening and some very special creations from Chef Torgerman’s kitchen.

Azar Lawrence with Judy Chamberlain at Spazio in Sherman Oaks for Valentine’s Day!

The great saxophonist Azar Lawrence, who has toured and recorded with Miles Davis. Clark Terry, McCoy Tyner and a “who’s who” list of jazz greats will be featured with our romantic swing quintet at Spazio on February 14 for a fabulous Valentine’s Day evening. Please join us!

The Judy Chamberlain Quintet

Spazio, 14755 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

8 p.m.

Reservations a must!

Judy Chamberlain – v

Rich Eames – p

Harvey Newmark – b

Azar Lawrence – s

Mark Stevens – d